Organizational Culture and Peer Influence Quiz

• In 1966, a study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison showed how peer influence can change monkey behavior, even without personal experience or punishment.
• Five monkeys were placed in a cage with a ladder to bananas; when a monkey attempted to climb, all were sprayed with cold water.
• The monkeys learned to avoid climbing the ladder for bananas, even new monkeys who had not been sprayed.
• This experiment illustrates the power of peer influence in organizational culture.
• Organizational culture is the shared values and norms of an organization's members.
• Values define what is important, norms define appropriate attitudes and behaviors.
• Employees learn about an organization's culture through socialization, immersion in day-to-day operations.
• Twitter is an example of a company with a strong positive culture, recognized for its teamwork, smart co-workers, and employee benefits.
• A positive culture offers numerous benefits, including attracting top talent, fostering employee loyalty, increasing job satisfaction, promoting collaboration, enhancing work performance, and reducing workplace stress.
• Organizational cultures come from two major sources: founders and industries.
• Founders' visions and values can create a company culture, often intentionally or unintentionally.
• Industries also influence organizational culture; for example, industries with strict regulations may prioritize attention to detail over creativity.
• To build a high-performing organizational culture, focus on employee wellness, grow from your current culture, hire the right people, encourage positivity, foster workplace relationships, and listen to your employees.

Test your knowledge about organizational culture and the power of peer influence with this quiz. Learn about the impact of shared values, norms, socialization, and industry influence on organizational culture, as well as the benefits of a positive culture in the workplace.